Full Panel Meetings
The stakeholder panel meets three times each year to review the annual FGGS report and advance improvements to Maryland's forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and search program.
Current priorities include:
- Finalizing Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) licensing requirements and regulations.
- Expanding annual reporting to include:
- The dates affidavits are requested and approved.
- Whether evidence originated from a sexual assault evidence collection kit, to support reporting under § 11-926.1 of the Maryland Criminal Procedure Article.
- Year-over-year case information to identify trends over time.
- Demographic information in a way that minimizes the need to suppress data.
- Developing presentations, guidance documents, and process flowcharts that explain the FGGS process from the initial request through the destruction of the DNA sample.
- Identifying funding opportunities to help Maryland-licensed laboratories process FGGS requests after FIGG licensing requirements and regulations are finalized.
Sub-Panel Meetings
Because Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) licensing regulations must be finalized before cases can be processed by Maryland's state-licensed forensic laboratories, several panel members proposed creating a FIGG Licensing Regulations Working Group.
The working group would focus on developing the licensing regulations and provide regular progress updates to the full stakeholder panel.
The participating state-licensed forensic laboratories include:
- Maryland State Police
- Prince George's County Police Department
- Montgomery County Police Department
- Baltimore Police Department
- Baltimore County Police Department
- Anne Arundel County Police Department